I would argue you can get Compher back for less, Colorado would want to move the money more than the pick they get back. I disagree with incentivizing taking Cody Eakin, we can buy him out without losing any assets. For that matter I would hesitate to break up the effective third line we have with Thompson, Mittelstadt, and Apsund. If we keep that unit together we really don’t even need Compher. We should nudge Seattle toward taking Colin Miller like everyone expects.

My only argument against Miller being the target is if we move Ristolainen, our defense becomes extremely young, especially if we don’t add a veteran and if we do re sign McCabe, he won’t be ready to start the year and this scenario is a scenario where I am trying to win now if I plan on keeping Eichel and Reinhart.

We may be able to get Compher for less, that I can agree on, but I see him as an ideal target because of his versatility to play all three forward positions and can kill penalties and provide 35-40 points in the bottom six, and can move anywhere in the lineup. If Eichel were still out to start the season, he gives you another option to start the season at third line center, you can even put him on the 4th line and just use him as depth/insurance albeit it’s an extension option for that role.

The Sabres bottom six has been dismal for quite some time so. Adding Compher could be a solid movie.

As far as who the Sabres move, I agree with all your points on the expansion draft but there are quite a few guys I would like to protect.

I can do with parting with Girgensons, but I think he is a player Buffalo definelty misses. Asplund could be, but he does form an effective third line. Borgen would be a guy id want to protect and incentivize not to take. Colin Miller could be that guy, but the defense on a team I would like to be competitive again with would be very inexperienced on D

I’m not sure I would accept risto+2nd for nothing because he’s so bad

That’s just simply not true

Compher and Vanecek are good pickups. If you can get Reinhart at 6M flat, offer him more term. Reasonable bridge deals on the other young guys.

Let's talk about spending $11M per year on Goligoski and Foligno, versus not doing so.